GoboLinux is a distribution which sports a different file system structure than 'ordinary' Linux distributions. In order to remain compatible with the Filesystem Hierarchy Standard, symbolic links are used to map the GoboLinux tree to standard UNIX directories. A post in the GoboLinux forums suggested that it might be better to turn the concept around: retain the FHS, and then use symbolic links to map the GoboLinux tree on top of it. This sparked some interesting discussion. Read on for more details.

I think the issue is simply "why change?". The article argues that the existing layout is ugly and confusing - but the fact is, it's a subject that shouldn't matter. Calling a directory /Programs instead of /bin might be easier for a user to read, but the kind of user that's aimed at will be running programs from a menu anyway, not by entering a file path.

Changing things is pain (for developers and maintainers even if not the user) for no real benefit...